You want to take a round trip in your own way. No pre-booked transfers but using public transportation or a rental car. But you also want a clean hotel and a warm shower in the evening. And you don't want to spend hours searching for a clean but not too expensive hotel.

You could better spend that time enjoying all the beautiful things that Costa Rica has to offer. Costa Rica op maat has put together a number of trips especially for these travelers. The chosen hotels have rooms with private toilet and shower with hot water. Breakfast is included. These are examples. We can put together your budget trip according to your wishes.

17-DAY BUDGET TRIP ACROSS COSTA RICA WITH A 4*4

TRAVEL ITINERARY:

Day 1: After a tiring flight and probably a late arrival, it's nice to be picked up at the airport for the transfer to the first hotel just outside Alajuela. The hotel has a swimming pool and breakfast is included.

Day 2/3: The rental car, a Suzuki Jimny 4*4 or equivalent, will be delivered to the hotel at 9.00 am. Today you head to Monteverde. The place is world famous for its cloud forests. You can take walks through the parks or admire the forest from above through bridges. Or do a Canopy. You glide from one platform to another over the cloud forest through steel cables. You will stay here for 2 nights and breakfast is included.

Day 4/5: You will cross the "La Amistad" bridge to get to the Pacific. Samara has one of the safest beaches in Costa Rica. The beaches are lined with palm trees and a beach walk in the evening is enchanting. There are also some nature reserves in the vicinity of Samara. The hotel is located 150 meters from the beach and has a swimming pool. You will stay here for 2 nights and breakfast is included.

Day 6/7: You will go to the area of the Rincon de La Vieja volcano via Liberia. You will spend the night at the foot of the volcano. A walk through the park with its bubbling mud pools and waterfalls is a must. You can also go horseback riding, do a canopy tour, take mud baths, etc.

Day 8/9: You will go to La Fortuna under the smoke of the Arenal volcano. The hotel is located in a beautiful garden with a view of the Arenal. From here, you can visit the La Fortuna waterfall or one of the hot springs. You will stay here for 2 nights and breakfast is included.

Day 10/11/12: You will go to the Orosi Valley via the Sarapiqui area, where you will spend 1 night including breakfast. The hotel has a magnificent view over this valley. You can, among other things, take a tour of the valley or visit the Irazu volcano. You will stay here for 2 nights and breakfast is included.

Day 13/14/15: You will drive to the southwest of Costa Rica via Cartago, where you can visit the basilica and the pass at Cerro La Muerte. You will stay in Ojochal. You can visit one of the beautiful beaches here, but also waterfalls. It is also a base for excursions to Corcovado Park and Caño Island. You will stay here for 3 nights and breakfast is included.

Day 16: You will return to Alajuela for the last night in Costa Rica. You will return the car at the hotel. Breakfast is included.

Day 17: Transfer to the airport for the return flight.

The price for this trip is US$ 1400 per person based on two persons in a double room. This price is valid from April 15th to December 1st. If you want to make the trip from December 1st, timely booking is very important due to the high season. The surcharge is US$ 200 per person in the period from December 1st to April 15th. The price includes: 16 nights including breakfast, the rental car (Suzuki Vitara 4*4 or equivalent) for 15 days (excluding insurance), and transfers to and from the airport.

Prices do not include: Amsterdam-San Jose round trip flight, meals not mentioned, park entrance fees

17-DAY BUDGET TRIP ACROSS COSTA RICA USING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

ITINERARY:

Day 1: Arrival in Costa Rica, transfer to the hotel in San José.

Day 2: Explore the city at your leisure.

Day 3: Take public transportation to Cahuita.

Day 4/5: Stay in Cahuita. Enjoy the beach and park.

Day 6: Take public transportation to Sarapiqui. Overnight in a campsite with tents on platforms and private bathrooms.

Day 7: Go rafting, ziplining, or horseback riding.

Day 8: Take public transportation to La Fortuna.

Day 9/10: Stay in La Fortuna. Hike on the old lava fields, visit the waterfall, or relax in one of the hot springs.

Day 11: Take a bus-boat-bus transfer (included) to Monteverde, known for its cloud forest.

Day 12: Hike through the cloud forest or over bridges above it. You can also go ziplining.

Day 13: Take public transportation to Samara on the Pacific.

Day 14/15: Stay in Samara. Relax on the beautiful beach surrounded by palm trees.

Day 16: Take public transportation back to San José.

Day 17: Transfer to the airport.

The price for this trip is US$1200 per person based on two people sharing a double room.

The price includes 16 nights' accommodation including breakfast, transfers to and from the airport, and the bus-boat-bus transfer between La Fortuna and Monteverde.

The price excludes international flights, public transportation, meals not mentioned,